Recording - June 2020 - 67
Direct to DAW
Going direct (meaning no standalone mixer) is a great way to
record synth audio; running a single synth into a 2-input interface
is easy and affordable! An 8-in interface with 1/4" jacks can accommodate four stereo synths. There might be digital input options
on your interface as well, such as SPDIF (many synths output a
stereo SPDIF signal). XLR mic jacks can usually accept line level inputs. There are even 16- and 32-channel interfaces on the market.
In a mixerless setup, if you find yourself with more synth outs than
audio ins on your interface, consider incorporating a patch bay. Here
you can connect all your synths and interface I/O, and then patch up
custom setups using short cables. This method provides an excellent
workflow; the time (and aggravation!) savings are enormous.
Audio over USB
Many of the latest synths come equipped with a USB interface. You'll need to check to see if it transfers audio, MIDI, or
is used only for updates/configuration changes. Don't automatically assume that a USB interface will act as an audio interface, but if it does, then this is another convenient way to get
your synth sounds into your DAW. Important: with Windows 10
and below, you can usually run only one audio interface at a
time; if you're on a Mac, there's no such limitation. If you plan
on using more than one synthesizer, it's still generally best to
use a dedicated audio interface instead.
MIDI recording and interfaces
Another method of 'recording' a keyboard is not recording the
audio at all! MIDI recording is simply recording synth performances to the DAW as data-recording the actions of playing all the
keys and controls-no actual audio is recorded (but you can grab
the audio along with the MIDI data if you feel like it). This way
of recording makes it easy to quantize, delete, or otherwise edit
bum notes and bad moves (such as pitch and mod wheel errors).
MIDI recording is also a great way to build up multiple tracks and
orchestrations. If your synth is multitimbral (i.e., able to play more
than one instrument at a time) and has enough polyphony, then
you might be able to leave all your tracks as MIDI data in the
DAW until the song is entirely written. After everything is edited
to suit, simply do an audio recording pass and bring the polished
synth parts into their own audio tracks, all at once.
The old 5-pin DIN
If your synthesizer does not use USB for MIDI (typical for older
synthesizers), you're going to need a traditional MIDI interface.
Most MIDI interfaces are very affordable and come with from
one to eight sets of inputs and outputs, all on 5-pin DIN connectors. Ideally, you'll set yourself up with one MIDI in and one MIDI
out for each synth; the interface itself connects to your DAW
via USB. Unlike audio however, don't worry if you run out of
sockets! The MIDI signal flow can be daisy chained from synth
to synth and sorted into independent MIDI channels in your sequencer. MIDI gets deeper as it gets into to control values and
channels, but luckily, computers make this task manageable.
Thanks to the recent interest in older hardware synths, new
MIDI interfaces are now starting to be produced again. [ESI
Audio and MOTU offer some great options. -Ed.] Be careful
when picking up older MIDI interfaces-drivers might not be
available for modern Mac OS and Windows 10 platforms.
Plus, some older interfaces only have serial/parallel ports;
these can be a struggle to get working on a modern PC.
DAW Integration
Some vendors allow you to integrate your synthesizer directly into your DAW with VST plugins or standalone applications. Even if a native editor is not available, some third-party
vendors have developed plugins for various hardware synths.
These programs can do everything from sound patch management to full editing of the synthesizer in your DAW.
Effects
Effects are a great (and at times, necessary) way to shape
the sound of your synthesizer. Older hardware synths offer no
effects whatsoever, and many synth workstations are notorious
for having poor effects. In this situation, substituting your own
external processors can be advantageous. We'll look at integrating outboard effects processors in a future issue.
Setting up the studio
With all the above sorted and synths selected, here are a few
further things to consider as your studio grows.
With a lot of synths, comes a lot of cables
While it's nice to use balanced 1/4" TRS cables when you
can, most synths are unbalanced. As such, when running your
cables, it's best to try to separate your power cables from your
audio cables to avoid noise and hum. If you're building a permanent installation and don't plan to be mobile, zip ties are
quite handy to keep things together and organized.
Labeling
Once you get past having one synth in your setup, it's an excellent idea to start labeling your audio and MIDI cables. Super
important is labeling power cables, especially external power
supplies, so that you don't plug a power supply into the wrong
synth and fry it. Simple address labels are the perfect size and
easily come off your cables, even years later.
Scaling the Studio
Once your synthesizer collection reaches more than four,
and if you plan on continued growth, this is where a little planning can go a long way. I've paired an 8X8 MIDI interface
with a 16 channel 1U mixer as a 'building block' that scales
easily. This method allows control of up to eight synthesizers
independently on their own MIDI ports, with a stereo output to
mix down to. In this scenario, if I wanted to I could support 32
synths into an 8X8 interface from the four stereo outs of four 1U
rack mixers, all on dedicated MIDI and audio paths.
Conclusion
Research and planning will save you money, time, and frustration. Once you have a plan, at least you'll know what you're
getting yourself into. There's a lot to consider! Take the time to
figure out what'll work best for you in the long run, and save
time and cash-to buy another synth!
Devon Brent (devon@recordingmag.com) is a recording
musician and keyboard fanatic living and working in Jacksonville.
RECORDING June 2020
67
Recording - June 2020
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recording - June 2020
No label
Fade In
Reviewed & Revisited: Steinberg Cubase Pro 10.5
Soundware Showcase: EastWest Hollywood Pop Brass
First Look: Universal Audio LUNA
Forging the Exotic with Richard Devine
Plugin Outlet: Nugen Audio SEQ-S Linear Phase Spline EQ
Reviewed & Revisited: Pro Tools 2020
That One Effects Plugin, 2020 Edition: Reverb and Delay
Plugin Outlet: Arturia FX Collection
AMS Neve RMX16 500
Inside the Box with Joe Albano: The DAW: When Less Is More
Solid State Logic SSL 2+ USB Audio Interface
Reviewed & Revisited: RME Babyface Pro FS
Plugin Outlet: PIO: oeksound soothe 2 dynamic resonance suppressor
Inside the Studio with Mark Hornsby: Mixing Nick D’Virgilio’s new album, Invisible
Soundware Showcase: Spitfire Audio: Ólafur Arnalds Stratus
Plugin Outlet: Baby Audio Comeback Kid Delay Plugin
Merging Technologies MERGING+ANUBIS
Once Over: Joule JouleBar Compact Power Strip
Readers’ Tracks
Considering a Keyboard-Based Studio
Advertiser Index
Plugin Outlet: IK Multimedia Sunset Sound Studio Reverb
Fade Out: Favorite DAW? Pshaw! Why choose only one?
Recording - June 2020 - Intro
Recording - June 2020 - No label
Recording - June 2020 - Cover2
Recording - June 2020 - 1
Recording - June 2020 - 2
Recording - June 2020 - 3
Recording - June 2020 - Fade In
Recording - June 2020 - 5
Recording - June 2020 - 6
Recording - June 2020 - 7
Recording - June 2020 - Reviewed & Revisited: Steinberg Cubase Pro 10.5
Recording - June 2020 - 9
Recording - June 2020 - Soundware Showcase: EastWest Hollywood Pop Brass
Recording - June 2020 - 11
Recording - June 2020 - First Look: Universal Audio LUNA
Recording - June 2020 - 13
Recording - June 2020 - Forging the Exotic with Richard Devine
Recording - June 2020 - 15
Recording - June 2020 - 16
Recording - June 2020 - 17
Recording - June 2020 - 18
Recording - June 2020 - 19
Recording - June 2020 - Plugin Outlet: Nugen Audio SEQ-S Linear Phase Spline EQ
Recording - June 2020 - 21
Recording - June 2020 - Reviewed & Revisited: Pro Tools 2020
Recording - June 2020 - 23
Recording - June 2020 - That One Effects Plugin, 2020 Edition: Reverb and Delay
Recording - June 2020 - 25
Recording - June 2020 - 26
Recording - June 2020 - 27
Recording - June 2020 - 28
Recording - June 2020 - 29
Recording - June 2020 - Plugin Outlet: Arturia FX Collection
Recording - June 2020 - 31
Recording - June 2020 - 32
Recording - June 2020 - 33
Recording - June 2020 - AMS Neve RMX16 500
Recording - June 2020 - 35
Recording - June 2020 - Inside the Box with Joe Albano: The DAW: When Less Is More
Recording - June 2020 - 37
Recording - June 2020 - 38
Recording - June 2020 - 39
Recording - June 2020 - Solid State Logic SSL 2+ USB Audio Interface
Recording - June 2020 - 41
Recording - June 2020 - Reviewed & Revisited: RME Babyface Pro FS
Recording - June 2020 - 43
Recording - June 2020 - Plugin Outlet: PIO: oeksound soothe 2 dynamic resonance suppressor
Recording - June 2020 - 45
Recording - June 2020 - Inside the Studio with Mark Hornsby: Mixing Nick D’Virgilio’s new album, Invisible
Recording - June 2020 - 47
Recording - June 2020 - 48
Recording - June 2020 - 49
Recording - June 2020 - Soundware Showcase: Spitfire Audio: Ólafur Arnalds Stratus
Recording - June 2020 - 51
Recording - June 2020 - Plugin Outlet: Baby Audio Comeback Kid Delay Plugin
Recording - June 2020 - 53
Recording - June 2020 - Merging Technologies MERGING+ANUBIS
Recording - June 2020 - 55
Recording - June 2020 - Once Over: Joule JouleBar Compact Power Strip
Recording - June 2020 - 57
Recording - June 2020 - Readers’ Tracks
Recording - June 2020 - 59
Recording - June 2020 - 60
Recording - June 2020 - 61
Recording - June 2020 - 62
Recording - June 2020 - 63
Recording - June 2020 - Considering a Keyboard-Based Studio
Recording - June 2020 - 65
Recording - June 2020 - 66
Recording - June 2020 - 67
Recording - June 2020 - Advertiser Index
Recording - June 2020 - 69
Recording - June 2020 - Plugin Outlet: IK Multimedia Sunset Sound Studio Reverb
Recording - June 2020 - 71
Recording - June 2020 - Fade Out: Favorite DAW? Pshaw! Why choose only one?
Recording - June 2020 - Cover3
Recording - June 2020 - Cover4
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